Russell Martin - He Says.

[HitchinFox]

5 hours ago, davieG said:

Martin says criticism has become 'really personal'

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5ydqvvlqk3o

 

Andrew Aloia, BBC Sport, East Midlands and Charlie Slater, BBC East Midlands Today

Leicester City manager Russell Martin says he is bemused by why he "upsets so many people" and feels criticism he has received has "become really personal".

There has been intense focus on the job the 40-year-old is doing at the 2016 Premier League champions this week after they were beaten 4-0 by Oxford United in League One on Saturday.

It was Leicester's second defeat in five games in what has been a difficult return to England's third tier for a side that has suffered back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and Championship.

Leicester are now 18th in the division - an all-time low point for the 142-year old club.

For Martin, the slow start to the season has meant that condemnation of his brand of high possession, passing football that defined his 123-day spell in charge of Scottish Premiership side Rangers last season has followed him to King Power Stadium.

"It has become really personal from some guys in the media and definitely from fans," Martin told BBC East Midlands Today.

"It is what it is, and I have to deal with it. It doesn't affect me too much, genuinely, but it is really difficult for the people around me, who know me and understand me and know what I am.

"I don't know why I upset so many people. One of the players asked me this week why I am so criticised outside of here, because obviously they see stuff, and I can't answer it."

Foxes players 'believe' in Martin approach – Joseph

While the defeat by Oxford was described as a "sackable performance" by ex-Foxes forward Matt Piper, and another former Leicester player Matt Heath doubts fans will be won over by the style of play, Martin's own players have backed their boss.

Captain Harry Souttar said the Oxford result was "solely down to the players", while 20-year-old defender Jayden Joseph said the squad is convinced the manager's footballing philosophy just needs "time and patience" to work.

"Speak to the players and people I've worked with, and [then] people who have never seen it and have maybe watched a few clips of some bits, and it's very different perception and reality," Martin said.

"But I guess when you try do something that is a bit different to some, then it's always there to be shot at."

Martin went on to say that he "needs to do better, improve and learn" from what he is doing at Leicester, but he also reiterated his commitment to the style of football he has the Foxes playing.

"I love what I do, I love my job and love always trying to develop people and players by playing in a way where I think they can bring the best version of themselves," he said.

"Sometimes it takes time. It's not easy, but I will always choose to try to embark on something that I really believe in that focuses on trying to develop whilst winning. And maybe I'm in the wrong job for that.

"There is enough feeling from me and the players I work with that it can be really brilliant at times.

"I always have to keep learning and I spent a long time out of the game after Rangers and spent a lot of time watching different football and trying to sharpen my tools.

"The most frustrating thing is that I've enjoyed the process here so much so far and it's not quite shown with the results, but I'm convinced it will. Otherwise, I wouldn't do it. So ultimately I'll keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully we will be really successful and I really believe we can be."

 

"I spent a long time out of the game after Rangers".

 

If you think that was long, then just wait what will happen if the current trajectory continues at LCFC and you're unable to get it right. I can guarantee you'll be out of the game a LOT longer, pal. 

[Pita]

On 29/08/2026 at 09:48, Philkeavo said:

He’s either brave or foolhardy. Whichever it is he’ll live or die by these words.

Foolhardy 

[jim5000]

Nice to know he "focuses on trying to develop whilst winning".

 

Still, shame about the winning part

[Stuntman_Mike]

11 hours ago, Happy Fox said:

Yeahh, up yours Oxford fans. Well in Russ.

[5waller5]

10 hours ago, lookwhaticando said:

“Needless to say, I had the last laugh.”

Damn!! Beat me to it! 

[Corky]

12 hours ago, kenny said:

Does he mean the fans at the Oxford match? This implies it was the away fans singing it?

They started it originally then our fans joined in.

[lookwhaticando]

4 hours ago, 5waller5 said:

Damn!! Beat me to it! 

Don’t be blue, Peter. 

[Beachyboy]

17 hours ago, worksopfox said:

How many times does our manager say the word    " Energy"

Yet he doesn't say it with much energy or enthusiasm. I don't understand why his tone remains the same win lose or draw. 

[fox_favourite]

2 minutes ago, Beachyboy said:

Yet he doesn't say it with much energy or enthusiasm. I don't understand why his tone remains the same win lose or draw. 

Like Pearson? 

[Russell sprout]

Just been told by the Mrs,

that a client of her’s who works at Seagrave,

last Sunday Martin got all the players in on the Sunday,

and got them litter picking to get the ego out of them🤷🏻‍♂️

which I’m all for myself

[StanSP]

6 minutes ago, Russell sprout said:

Just been told by the Mrs,

that a client of her’s who works at Seagrave,

last Sunday Martin got all the players in on the Sunday,

and got them litter picking to get the ego out of them🤷🏻‍♂️

which I’m all for myself

Means fvck all when it comes to matchday. 

 

He can't coach a team to defend to save his life. 

[bovril]

Imagine being told by Russell Martin you have an ego

[Finnegan]

8 minutes ago, Russell sprout said:

Just been told by the Mrs,

that a client of her’s who works at Seagrave,

last Sunday Martin got all the players in on the Sunday,

and got them litter picking to get the ego out of them🤷🏻‍♂️

which I’m all for myself

 

If there's any truth in this, this is so ****ing cringe. You build culture gradually. If he really did this, it's performative, David Brent levels of Linkedin nonsense. 

 

[bovril]

Just now, Finnegan said:

 

If there's any truth in this, this is so ****ing cringe. You build culture gradually. If he really did this, it's performative, David Brent levels of Linkedin nonsense. 

 

It's projection. If it actually happened, which I still can't quite believe. 

[tomtom]

10 minutes ago, Russell sprout said:

Just been told by the Mrs,

that a client of her’s who works at Seagrave,

last Sunday Martin got all the players in on the Sunday,

and got them litter picking to get the ego out of them🤷🏻‍♂️

which I’m all for myself

Nice clean training ground.... but we're still dreadful at defending 

[Free Falling Foxes]

14 minutes ago, Russell sprout said:

Just been told by the Mrs,

that a client of her’s who works at Seagrave,

last Sunday Martin got all the players in on the Sunday,

and got them litter picking to get the ego out of them🤷🏻‍♂️

which I’m all for myself

Shouldn't be much litter at the training ground, I would have taken them down Narborough Road.

[Groby_Blue]

Pity he didn't put Souter, Thomas and McCarthy in the bin 

[foxpleasure]

Wonder if he's doing any competitions to win Mars Bars

[sphericalfox]

and yet a clean sheet isn't the main focus.

 

Edited 12 September by sphericalfox

[HankMarvin]

3 hours ago, Russell sprout said:

Just been told by the Mrs,

that a client of her’s who works at Seagrave,

last Sunday Martin got all the players in on the Sunday,

and got them litter picking to get the ego out of them🤷🏻‍♂️

which I’m all for myself

That will get their minds ticking, I’m sure they wouldn’t want to litter pick again in a place that has cleaners and probably is spotless.

[skinnydipper]

Obviously took it literally when he read on here that we need to get rid of some of the garbage at Seagrave 

[Danizen]

To be fair, if there's one thing they could learn from him, it's how to pick rubbish. He does it every week.

[murphy]

Russell Martin "One of the players asked me this week why i am so criticised outside of here, because obviously they see stuff, and i can't answer it."

 

Really Russell?  Did that really happen?  Because that sounds like something straight out of the Trump play book. Eg

"Some people are saying I'm the greatest president this country has ever had...blah blah blah"

 

Those convenient unnamed 'other people'. In Russell's case instead of just wondering why his style is hated, he can invent a player that is incredulous at the criticism he's getting thereby giving weight to the idea that it's unjustified.

 

Not buying it Russell.  That never happened.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

On 12/09/2026 at 13:37, fox_favourite said:

Like Pearson? 

Pearson could back it up.

[chuddy8]

"People say I'm the best boss. They go, 'We've never worked in a place like this before, you're such a laugh, you get the best out of us.' And Martin said 'If that's true — excellent.' "